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Limestone Coast Wine Show

Publish Date: 02 Nov 2012

Authored by: Media Release

A Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon has scored a prominent wine producer back to back wins in the Limestone Coast Wine Show after two and a half intense days of judging. The 2010 Wolf Blass Gold Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon collected four trophies at last night’s trophy presentation feast inside the Stonehaven Barrel Hall in Padthaway, including the David Wynn Trophy for ‘Best Red Wine of Show’ and the HR (Ron) Haselgrove O.B.E. Trophy for ‘Best Cabernet Sauvignon’. The prized drop then went on to claim the Bill Redman Trophy for ‘Best Wine of Show’, with the accolades earning viticulturalist Ben Harris the major award - the highly coveted Arthur Hoffman Trophy for Viticulturalist of Best Wine of Show. Chairman of judges, Andrew Wigan, praised the wine’s great elegance and concentration of varietal character, saying it showcases the region at its very best.

“It’s just a beautifully made wine which is in balance every step of the way,” he said.

It’s the second year in a row that Wolf Blass Wines has won the top prize at the Limestone Coast Wine Show; the 2009 Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz Cabernet using grapes sourced from Robe and Mount Benson was the standout entry in the 2011 event.

“The wine last year was a blend and now they’ve done it with a great Cabernet, so they are obviously showing a great understanding of the region,” Mr Wigan said.

Balnaves of Coonawarra also had a stellar year; The Balnaves of Coonawara 2011 Chardonnay won the ‘Best Chardonnay’ Trophy, while the 2005 The Tally notched up another accolade when it was awarded the Ewen Fergusson McBain Trophy for ‘Best Museum Wine’.

Ladbroke Grove Wines also collected two trophies; the 2009 Ladbroke Grove Riesling won the Colin Kidd Trophy for ‘Best White Wine of Show’ and the Karl Seppelt Trophy for ‘Best White Wine, excluding Chardonnay’. Brands Laira was the most successful exhibitor courtesy of a strong medal haul and a ‘Best Blended Red/Other Single Red Variety’ trophy for its 2010 Brands Laira Coonawarra August Tide. The 2010 Wynns Black Label Shiraz was named ‘Best Shiraz’, Pepper Tree Wines’ 2009 ‘Calcare’ Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon won the ‘Best Individual Vineyard Wine Trophy’, while the 2010 Penley Estate Special Select Shiraz won the ‘International Judge’s Award’ after impressing guest Canadian judge Anthony Gismondi.

A record 42 gold, 77 silver and 178 bronze medals were awarded at this year’s event. Mr Wigan said the result is a reflection of an “incredible” 2010 vintage, and an “extremely strong” 2009 vintage.

“Put a couple of strong vintages in a row in, and you would expect to get some really good results – particularly when the wines are being made in a very high quality region,” he said.

All entries in this year’s show will be uncorked and available for tasting at the Coonawarra Hall this morning (Friday November 2), offering members of the public an opportunity to try the wines and compare notes with the expert judging panel. The Exhibitor’s Tasting will be held from 9am - 11.30am, and the Public Tasting from 11.30am - 1.30pm ($15 admission including results book valued at $10). Interviews with the winners and judges will be uploaded onto YouTube in the coming days. (Type ‘Limestonecoastwine11’ into the YouTube search engine).

LIST OF TROPHIES

The Bill Redman Trophy 2012Best Wine of Show
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